MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 22:53:01| >> :60:299:299:
[monks data]
Attendance: 73,620
Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 1
Aug 11, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
Chelsea logo

4-0

Rashford (18' pen., 67'), Martial (65'), James (81')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Man-of-the-match Harry Maguire in focus on Manchester United debut

Man-of-the-match Harry Maguire in focus on Manchester United debut
© Reuters
The former Leicester centre-back helped keep a clean sheet as Chelsea were beaten 4-0.

Harry Maguire was thrust into his Manchester United debut against Chelsea in the same week the England international became the world's most expensive defender.

Maguire was under the microscope at Old Trafford on Sunday after completing a protracted £80million transfer from Premier League rivals Leicester only six days earlier.

Here, PA takes an in-depth look at the former Sheffield United and Hull centre-back's display.

Role

Maguire holds off Chelsea's Mason Mount
Maguire holds off Chelsea's Mason Mount (Martin Rickett/PA)

Maguire is still becoming accustomed to life in the north west and had only taken in a handful of training sessions with his new team-mates this week. But United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer clearly had no hesitation in including his latest signing as part of a new-look back four, with highly rated full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka also making his debut. The Yorkshireman sat alongside Victor Lindelof at the heart of United's back-line in what will probably be Solskjaer's favoured pairing for now.

Positioning

Initially struggled to get to grips with Chelsea's bright, young things, as Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount made a lively start, although any early rustiness was perhaps understandable. Former United manager Jose Mourinho, a pundit for Sky Sports, noted Maguire had to "cover" for fellow Englishman Luke Shaw on a number of occasions in the first half. Maguire, though, kept a tight leash on Abraham after a slightly chaotic opening, allowing the Blues forward precious little breathing room.

Distribution

Maguire dispossessing Abraham started the chain that led to United's second. Seemed unflustered whenever he had the ball and was happy get forward whenever the opportunity presented itself – largely at set-pieces. There will be times when Maguire is a handful at corners or free-kicks but he did not get many chances to show that here.

Overall

Manchester United v Chelsea – Premier League – Old Trafford
A Manchester United fan wearing a Harry Maguire kit before the game (Martin Rickett/PA)

The early stages did not augur well for Maguire but he and the rest of United's defenders weathered the storm to firmly subdue Chelsea's attacking threat, to the extent that Abraham and his replacement Olivier Giroud were virtually anonymous in the second half. There may be some kinks to iron out as the season wears on and it is very early days but he and Lindelof already look assured together.

ID:367825: cacheID:367825:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7667:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ex-Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho leaves The Lowry hotel on December 18, 2018
Read Next:
Mourinho impressed by Man City's all-round quality
>
Read more about Harry Maguire Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!